HAMPTON, Ga. (March 9, 2003) –  It was all about racing the track in today’s running of the Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500. The No. 54 National Guard team finished 28th place after starting 35th. It was a small victory for the crew since their finish was good for another gain of two positions in the Winston Cup driver points standings.

“We threw everything we had at the car,” said Bodine after the race. “It’s a brand new car and regardless of what we threw at it, it just didn’t want to turn through the corners. Our performance today certainly wasn’t due to a lack of effort. The guys worked hard in the pits to get the car handling better but the race track had a mind of its own and it stayed tight.” 

During most of the 500-mile event at the Atlanta Motor Speedway, the Guard car was consistent in it’s temperamental handling … loose in, tight in the middle and loose off when driving through the corners of Atlanta Motor Speedway. Two pit stops under green were completed on laps 48, and 98. Each service was accomplished under 16-seconds with air pressure adjustments being the main course of action to improve the car’s drivability. Four fresh tires and fuel were also part of the service.

As the handling challenge persisted, it was determined by crew chief Derrick Finley for his driver to concentrate on racing the track and not the competition for the Guard’s best finish possible. They put the plan into effect by fixing the car’s ill handling on laps 137, 147, 173, 210 and 299 under caution. It worked since attrition would dictate who would complete all 325-circuits. Drivers like Mark Martin, Kurt Busch, Bill Elliott, Jeff Burton and Jimmie Johnson found their day end due to engines expiring while Bobby Labonte outlasted them all by capturing today’s Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500. It was Labonte's sixth victory at AMS in the last 12 races.

“We’ll take what we got and build on it for the next time we run here in the fall,” added Bodine. “On a positive note, we bettered our finish from last year’s fall event.  We’ll take this finish and move on and prepare for Darlington.”

To Read More About Today’s Events:
Race Stories:::::::Race Results:::::::Point Standings: (Todd picks up two positions)

By: Traci Hultzapple
Senior Account Manager – BelCar Racing - No. 54 National Guard Taurus
Cox Marketing Group / Mooresville, NC  28117